The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) blocked access to four news articles published on bianet, three dated August 2020 and one dated January 2026. In an email sent on February 5, BTK stated that the decision was based on Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 but did not provide any justification. The three blocked news articles covered topics such as the restoration work carried out at Galata Tower in 2020, the political connections of the owner of the company carrying out the restoration, images of walls broken with a jackhammer, and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s criminal complaint. The fourth news item was an English translation of a study on NEET youth. BTK did not disclose who requested the decision, and bianet did not receive any court notification within four days. Decisions taken under Article 8/A must be submitted to the justice of the peace for approval within 24 hours.
February 9, 2026
bianet